M-Sport Fiesta ST revealed
M-Sport have released details of a road-going Ford Fiesta ST with various upgrades, for those who would like their ST to be a little bit different. Most noticeable is the exterior, which has subtle nods to the 2015 M-Sport World Rally Team livery. And don’t think this is all show and no go either; because M-Sport are the experts of making the Fiesta go fast; you only need to watch rallying to see the success of the Fiesta R2, R5, RRC and the mighty RS WRC.
Each car gets embroidered Recaro seats featuring the M-Sport logo, a leather/alcantara steering wheel, carbon fibre gear lever insert with M-Sport logo on the gate pattern, and individual carbon fibre build numbers on the tailgate to define true limited edition status.
The most exciting upgrades are found underneath. The 1.6 EcoBoost comes complete with a Mountune MP215 upgrade which retains the factory warranty and delivers 215 PS at 6,000 rpm as well as 320 Nm at 3,000 rpm. I have this upgrade fitted to our Fiesta ST, and can say that it is absolutely fantasic. The extra torque you get makes for well-rounded performance, and in-gear acceleration in 3rd and 4th gear is noticeably improved.
The 6-speed manual gearbox also features a Quaife ATB limited slip differential to add to the ST’s already-impressive driving characteristics. OZ Superturismo LM alloy wheels in matt graphite complete the standard package, although further options are available for those who desire the ultimate edition including an optional ‘Handling Pack’ with Bilstein inverted mono tube struts and Eibach Pro springs for improved handling. An optional brake upgrade featuring Alcon callipers, 332mm discs and Goodridge braided brake hoses is also available as well as an M-Sport cold air induction system with Pipercross high flow foam filter.
Finally there is a modified exhaust system available with a custom-made rear silencer from Chris Tullett Exhausts – the firm who supply the exhausts for the rally-winning Fiesta RS WRC.
M-Sport Managing Director, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said:
“Following the success of the M-Sport Transit it only seemed right to deliver an M-Sport Edition Ford Fiesta. I am delighted to announce that we have done just that and our first road car project – developed alongside our partners at Permashine – will soon be available.
“It’s a proper hot hatch with a Quaife differential in the gearbox as well as a host of other well thought out options and additions supplied by our valued trade partners. It looks fantastic and it really does go as well as it looks!”
There is however, one issue. And for me it’s a big one. The price. This Fiesta starts at £21,600 and is based on a Fiesta ST-1. That means that the creature comforts from our own ST we have come to know and love- satellite navigation, heated seats, climate control, keyless entry with ‘Power’ start button- are all missing. So you’re paying more for less, and I’m not sure how I feel about that. It’s not clear at the minute whether the M-Sport Fiesta can be specified in ST-2 or ST-3 trim.
